Perils To Coast Persist Pollution, Erosion Termed Top Threats

Leading scientists, government officials and environmentalists kicked off a three-day conference to analyze the state`s coastal protection policies.

The last such conference in 1983 resulted in an outline that led to major improvements in state coastal controls over development and beach-area protection, said Victoria Tschinkel, secretary of the state Department of Environmental Regulation.

``We`ve accomplished a lot in the past three years, but I think each and everyone of you are here because you know there is still a tremendous amount to do be done -- the challenge indeed still remains,`` Tschinkel said.

Among the victories have been increased protection for coastal wetlands, huge beachfront and coastal-area purchases by the state, crackdowns on beach construction, and a state control over beach management and coastal planning.

Tschinkel said growth pressures in coastal counties like Broward and Palm Beach will require continued efforts to protect coastal resources.

``Eighty percent of the state`s population lives in coastal counties; 40 million tourists come here every year, mostly to enjoy our coast. Everybody wants a piece of coastal Florida,`` she said.

By the turn of the century, when Florida is expected to have grown from the sixth to third most populous state, the percentage of the state`s population in coastal counties is projected to increase to 82 percent.

``We don`t seem to be doing a very good job of discouraging people from coming to the coastal areas. Of the 6,000 new residents we gain every week, 5,000 will settle here in the coast,`` Tschinkel said in her opening address.

Among the coastal features being discussed at the conference are beaches, estuaries, shellfish beds, mangroves, coral reefs and fisheries.

Tschinkel stressed the stormwater quality issues, while Secretary of State George Firestone and Department of Natural Resources Executive Director Elton Gissendanner focused on the state`s fledgling effort to establish a long- range, comprehensive beach management plan.

The beach plan is centered on a state program controlling the planning and construction of beach restoration projects, and would include attempts to minimize the worst erosion problem facing Florida, inlet jetties.

Both issues have broad implications for Palm Beach and Broward counties.

The eastern cities in both counties generally do not have systems in place to capture and clean stormwater drainage before it is discharged to the tidal reaches of the coastal area.

New development, especially in the counties` western reaches, is required to build stormwater systems, but older neighborhoods including downtown and near- town residental areas were built before the stormwater standards were adopted.

The largest amount of water pollution comes not from sewage plants, power plants or industrial areas, but from the home and commercial fertilization of lawns, and from oils and chemicals that drip from vehicles onto roads, Tschinkel said.

The drainage during heavy rains flushes these pollutants into canals, which carry the dirty water to the coastal region.

Similar drainage pollutants in farming areas have caused problems for Lake Okeechobee, the Indian River estuary and other areas, Tschinkel said.

In many cases, installation of a system would be very expensive and also would be very disruptive, tearing up major streets and constructing treatment areas.

DER attempted to obtain a new state law last spring requiring cities and counties to plan such systems during construction or rebuilding of roads, or the redevelopment of downtowns.

But intense opposition killed the bill in committees, where it already had been gutted of any benefit, according to environmental lobbyists, who labeled the amended version the ``dirty water bill.``

The beach program could benefit areas needing infusions of sand on eroded beaches.

The plan was left without a long-term source of funding, however, an issue expected to be addressed in the 1987 legislative session. With the funding question comes a related issue; what percentage of the cost the state will split with local government. The local share is expected to be between 25 and 50 percent. The 10-year estimate for a statewide program is $472 million.

The program will mean that local beaches needing continuing or future restoration may face more competition for funding, but probably will benefit from a larger pool of restoration funds in a less politicized arena.

``The coastal zone is sick, sick, sick. The illness is called beach erosion. We know what the cure is. I guess the critical question is whether we have the guts to do anything about it,`` said Gissendanner.